Spring-forming machine



July 10, 1928.

w. H. BLEUEL.

SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 27, 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 10, 1928.

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FiledNov. 27, 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 July 10, 1928.

W. H. BLEUEL SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 27, 1925 llml Mill

WILLIAM H. BLEUEL, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

SPRING-FORMING MACHINE.

Application filed November 27, 1925. Serial No. 71,634.

This invention relates to a spring forming opened or closed or progressively spaced conmachine by which various kinds of wire can volutions. For the opened or closed spring be coiled into various types of springs of it is only necessary to adjust the convoluvarious sizes and configuration, the Wire tion spacer for such production, but for a 5 stock being fed into the machine, coiled, and spring having irregular convolutions or cut so that springs of a desired length are progressive spacing it is essential that the automatically set by the machine. convolution spacer be automatically adjusted My wire forming machine includes an to properly guide the pitch of the spring organization of novel instrumentalities for convolutions. For this purpose a novel 1o producing a spring of desired configuration mechanism is employed.

and some of these instrumentalities may be Fifth. To form a spring having convolucharacterized as follows. tions of a desired pitch or the pitch of one First, there is a wire feeding mechanism convolution varied relative to adjacent conwith adjustable guides and provisionis made volutions, a novel cam operated mechanism 15 to regulate, through the main driving mechais associated with the convolution spacer nism, the rate of speed at which the wire will or pitch guide, the mechanism including inbe fed into the machine, because different terchangeable or adjustable cams. Each cam types of springs of the same length may reincludes a dwell or configuration that perquire different quantities of wire in their mits of the endmost convolutions of the 2 conformation. The adjustable guides afford spring being of closed formation irrespecmeans of straightening and holding the wire tive 0f the size or spacing of intermediand one of said guides assists in determining ate convolutions, and it is only necessary the diameter of the springs to be formed by to substitute one cam for another when an the machine. altogether dilferent type of spring is to be so 1 Second, there are interchangeable manproduced by the machine.

drels which may be adjusted and about Sixth. Since the formation of coiled which the Wire is coiled, the mandrel insprings is a continuous operation by the eluding an adjusting mechanism by which machine it is essential that provision be made it may be properly set relative to one of the for automatically severing the spring stock so guides of the feeding mechanism. to provide springs of a desired length, and Third, a very important feature of the mathe cut-off device which I employ has been chine is an adjustable convolution former especially designed for heavy or light gauge which cooperates with the mandrel and the wire stock. It has been made very positive adjustable guide of the feeding mechanism in its action by utilizing a stored force which in determining the diameter of various types is released at a predetermined time so that of springs. The convolution former is not the stock is positively cut when in engageonly adjustable for springs of uniform diment with the mandrel, serving functionally ameter throughout, but automatically adas an anvil during such operation. Projustable so that spring convolutions may be vision is made for adjusting the cut off de- 4o progressively enlarged or made smaller, as vice and its operation is automatically timed becomes necessary in the formation of a and in ratio to the stock feeding mechanism single or double helical-volute spring. Asof the machine. sociated with this convolution former is a Seventh. A single conical spring forming hand manipulated mechanism essential when mechanism is associated with the convolu- 4 placing the machine in operation for start tion former, somewhat as an attachment for ing of acoil. In a great many forming mathe machine when single conical springs are chines it is necessary to bend a piece of stock to be produced, and part of this mechanism by hand in order to start it in the machine, is also utilized in the formation of a double but in my machine the proper shaping of the conical spring. said mechanism affording an 5 end of the piece of stock can be easily and automatic adjustment of the convolution quickly accomplished preparatory to starting former so that it may vary the curvature or the wire into coiled form. arc of the wire stock, relative to the mandrel,

Fourth, another novel and important part and thus determine the extent of the conof the machine is an adjustable convolution volution formed by the machine in any part no 55 spacer or pitch guide which determines of a spring.

whether the spring being coiled is to have Eighth. In order that springs may be economically and expeditiously formed by a machine of an unusual type, it is necessary that there be certain adjustments and refinements to compensate for variations in the configuration of various types of springs, and my machine includes numerous adjusting devices that are accessible and permit of an attendant of the machine quickly setting the various instrumentalities to produce a desired spring.

My invention will be hereinafter described under such captions as will expedite an understanding of the manufacturer of various types of springs, and reference will now be had to the drawings wherein there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the machine, but it is to be understood that the structural elements are susceptible to such changes as are permissible by the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the ma chine showing the cut-off device as having been actuated and in proximity to the motor of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line IIII of Fig. 1 showingan adjustable guide associated with the feeding mechanisrn;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line III-III of Fig. 1. showing another adjustable guide forming part of the feeding mechanism Fig. 4 is a plan of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal. sectional View of the machine taken on the line V--V of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a detail elevation of an adjustable convolution former showing its position preparatory to starting a piece of wire stock in the machine;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of a fulcrum lever support;

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 4, showing part of the main driving mechanism in dotted lines;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of a coiled spring of the closed convolution type that may be produced by the machine;

Fig. -10 is a similar view of a spring of the open convolution type;

Fig. 11 is a similar view of a single conical spring;

Fig. 12 is a similar view of a double conical spring;

Fig. 13 is an elevation of a coiled spring having progressively spaced convolutions;

Fig. 14 is an explanatory view of a portion of the spring;

Fig. 15 is a front elevation of an interchangeable -am adapted to form part of the machine;

Fig. 16

Fig. 17

a side elevation of the same;

is is a longitudinal sectional view of the cam taken on the line XVII-XVII of Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a cross sectional view taken on the line XVIII-XVIII of Fig. 17;

Figs. 19 and 20 are perspective views of detached cam members;

Fig. 21 is a side elevation of a detached cam adjusting member;

Fig. 22 a side elevation of another type of cam;

Fig. 23 is a plan, partly in section, of the cut-elf device;

Fig. 2% is a side elevation of the same partly broken away and partly in section;

Fig. 25 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line XXVXXV of Fig. 2ft;

Fig. 26 is an enlarged front elevation of a portion of the machine showing the forma tion of'a spring; I

Fig. 27 is a plan of a portion of the same showing the formation of a closed spring;

Fig. 28 is a similar view showing the formationof an open spring;

Fig. 29 is a front elevation of the machine provided with an attachment for producing single or double conical springs, and

F ig. 30 shows detail views of a detachi-al cam that may be used in connection with the machine shown in Fig. 29.

Springs (Figs. 9 to 1.4. imiuaiue In the manufacture of coiled squrings it is often desirable that the end coils or convolutions be closely assembled, either in an open or closed compression helical spring, or in asingle or d onble conical sp ing. In addition to these types of springs there are other helical volnte tension springs that might be produced in my machine. \Vhat I term a closed coiled spring has been shown in Fig. 9 where the convolutions 1 are in closed formation and practically contact.

My machine produces this spring in desiredlengths and diameters, and provision is made for evenlyseparately the convolutions to provide spaces 2, as shown in Fig. 10. In addition to this uniform spacing of the spring com-'olutions, the machine can be regulated to progressively space couvolutions, as shown in Fig. 12 where the convolutions 1 are somewhat closely assembled at one end of the spring and open at the opposite end.

Again, the machine can produce the sin le conical. spring shown in Fig. 11 where the convolutions gradually increase in sir .c from one end of the spring to the opposite end, with uniform space between the con volutions. This same idea is carried into effect in connection with the double conical spring shown in Fig. 12. where the convolutions gradually increase in size to the middle portion of the spring and this configuration of spring may be reversed whereby the intermediate convolutions are small and are gradually enlarged towards the ends of the spring.

Again reverting to the open type of coiled spring, it is often necessary that the spring be of uniform diameter throughout. In coiling this type of open spring ordinarily the intermediate convolutiens. as shown in Fig. 14 and somewhat exaggerated, will be of less diameter than the end or closely assenibled convolutions, because the intermediate convolutions are open or spread. In m machine. however, provision made for increasing the size of the intermediate convolutions to compensate for any loss incident to the open formation, consequently a spring of uniform conformation can be produced.

iV'ire feeding mechanism and adjustable guides (Figs. 1, and 4).

The machine is adapted to have a bench or suitable supportand includes a front wall 3, and a rear wall at provided with lateral flanges 5 so that it may be conveniently secured to the support. The front and rear walls are vertically disposed in parallelism and are connected by tie rods 6 and top plate 7 with the tie rods adjacent the lower edges of the walls and the top plate 7 connected to side edges of the walls at the up ends thereof.

Extending through the walls 3 and 1 are longitudinally disposed shafts S, 9, and 11 with the shafts 8 and 9 arranged as a lower set relative to the shafts 10 and 11 constituting an upper set, and these shafts are in parallel planes disposed at an angle to a vertical plane. Mounted on the shafts 8 and 9, at the inner side of the rear wall at, are gear wheels 12 meshing with gear wheels 13 on the shafts 10 and 11. lhe lower shafts 8 and 9 are journaled in the walls 3 and t, but the upper shafts 10 and 11 extend through slots 14: in said walls and are journaled in bearings 15 and 16 arranged at the outer sides of the walls 3 and 1. The bearing 16 is carried by a screw 17 (see Fig. 8) and said screw is rotatably supported by nuts 18 rela- ,tive to a bracket 19 on the outer side of the rear wall 4. By adjusting the screw 17 the tandem bearing 16 may be raised or lowered to provide proper mesh of the set of gear wheels 13 with the set of gear wheels 12.

Mounted on the shafts 8 to 11 inclusive are grooved feed rolls 20, 21, 22 and 23 and in order that the upper set of feed rolls 22 and 23 may be adjusted relative to the lower set of rolls and 21 the bearing 15 is under the constant pressure of a spring 24L adapted to have its tension regulated by a screw 25 supported in bracket 26 carried by the outer side of the front wall 3. The sets of feed rolls are adapted to cooperate in feeding wire stock 27 into the machine and before entering the pass of the rolls 21 and 23 the wire stock passes through a stationary guide 28 carried by the front wall 2. This stationary guide alines the wire stock for the pass of the rolls 21 and 23 and for guiding the wire stock into the pass of the rolls 20 and 2 there .is another guide, comprising grooved confronting blocks 29 mounted in an enlargement 30 on the outer face of the wall 3 and retained therein by a detachable plate 31.

its the wire stock 27 leaves the pass of the. feed rolls 20 and it enters an adjustable pivotally supported guide which has been shown in detail in Fig. 2. It comprises a split holder 32 provided with guide blocks 33 retained within the holder by a screw bolt 31 adapted to spring the holder into frictional engagement with the guice blocks. The holder has a stub shaft 35 extending through an opening 36in the front wall 3 and adjustably mounted in the high bearing 3? of a bolt 38 adjustable in a rotatable socket 39, carried by an adj List-able bracket -10 of the front wall 3. The bracket 10 protrudes inwardly from the rear face of the wall 3 and can be properly set to support the socket 39, which is rotatably supported in the bracket i0 and by rotation is adapted to raise or lower the bolt 38 and thus raise or lower the upper end of the hoider 32, said holder havingits rear end pivotally connected to the front side of the wall 3, as at i1. is therefore possible to swing the guide in an are so that the wire stock 27 after leaving the feed rolls may be directed upwardly or downwardly relative to a mandrel to be hereinafter considered. This adjustable guide is an important ele ment of the machine because itcooperates with other elements in determining the diameter of a spring or the size of a convolution. lv'lomentarily referring to Fig. 29 it will be noted that the pivoted guide has been lowered for a formation of a small diameter spring, and in Fig. 26 has been raised for the formation of a. large diameter spring.

I desire to direct attention to the fact that I have a constant feed for the wire stock in contradistinction to those machines wherein the feeding of stock is interrupted by the completion of each spring. A ain, this roll feed of the stock is materially diferent from that disclosed in my Patent No. 1,558305, dated (let. (S, 1925, wherein a tractor feed is eniployed and may be advantageously used for various kinds of wire stock. in the presen machine it is not necesary to stop the same each time a spring is ormed, for the reason that the wire stock is e ered very quickly and the formation of a spring can readily continue.

Again, the severing of the wire stock differentiates from those machines wherein the stock is thin portion which, after the coiling of a nicked or provided with a relatively long length of wire stock necessitates breaking the wire at these weakened portions in order to provide separate springs.

In comparing this invention with previous wire forming machines it. must be remembored that l have a constant feed and continuous spring forming machine in which the swings are separated thus eliminating the labor heretofore employed for this purpose.

Interchangeable wmndrel and its adjusting mechanism (Figs. J, 5, :25, 87, 588 and :3.

i rotatably retained in the rear wall 4:. it gez r wheel forms part. oi the nut t9 and meshes with a small gear wheel 51 mounted on a nut equipped rod fournaled in the walls 3 and 4t and protrudingfrom the wall 3, so that the attendant ot the machine can use a wrench or similar tool for imparting rotation to the .rod 52 and the clutch bolt 48, whereby the clutch member i5 is loosened relative to the wall 3 to permit of the mandrel shank 43 being withdrawn. This is in order that another mandrel may be substituted for the mandrel 42.

The mandrel 42 is in proximity to the pivoted stock guide and it is over this mandrel that the wire stocl' is projected with the mandrel serving as an anvil against which the wire stock may be bent or cut, as will hereinafter appear.

Adjustable convolution former (Fig.9. 1, .4, 5, 6', '7, and 27).

JOl'll'lltLlBtl in the front wall 3 and extending towards the rear wall st, is a shaft 53 which has its lblWll'tl end provided with a head 54: and adjustably retained in engagement with said head by a slotted plate 55 and a screw belt 56 is a forming inst-rte mentality havir lower end in prof:- imity to the mandrel l2 ant. longitudinJlly grooved as at 58 to receive the wire stock 27.

The head 54- is provided with a hand lever 59 which permits of the head being tilted, as shown in Fig. 6, and on the inner end of the lever 59 is an anti-frictional roller 60, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

The rear end of the shaft 53 has a shank 61 journaled in a screw62 which is tapped into the rear wall l so as to be adjustable therein. A gear wheel 63 forms part of the screw 62 and meshes with a worm G l rotatably supported by a bracket 65 carried by the rear wall l, so that an attendant of the machine may impart. rotation to the screw,

62 and cause said screw to advance or retract the shaft 53 and thus move the corn volulion former 57 to and from the front wall This adjustment permits of the convolution former having its groove 58 properly alined with the pivoted guide, whereby the wire stock emitted by said guide will impinge against the convolution former 57 and enter the groove 58 to be bent or deflected thereby in the forn'iatioi'l of a convolution. It will be noted that the shaft 53 has its rear end loosely held in the screw 62 so that the spindle 53 may be turned by the hand lever 59 without iiinparting rotation to the screw 62.

Mounted on the shaft 6i, adjacent the gear wheel 63, is a crank 186 connected by a coiled retraetile tanking 187 to the wall 4. 'See Fig. 8. This spring is adapted to move the ,ower end of the former 57 away from the mandrel 4:2 in the production of large convolutions.

The front wall 3 is provided with an opening for a slide bar 66 having its forward lower edge beveled, as at 67, for engagementwith the anti-frictional roller 60 of the hand lever 59. The rear end of the lever (36 has a shank 68 slidahle in the rear wall at and encircling the shank 68, between the slide bar 66 and the wall t is a coiled expansion spring 69. The expansive force of this spring is adapted to force the slide bar (56 forwardly until a stop pin 70 of said slide bar engages an abutment 71 of the front wall 3, said abutment cooperating with the wall in slidably supporting the forward end of the slide bar. Mounted .in the slide bar (56 is a post 7 2 and loosely engaging said post is a hand lever 73 which has its inner end loosely mounted on a stud 7d, carried by a bracket 75 extending rearwardly from the front wall 3 of the machine. The manner of mounting the lever '73 peru'iits of it being swung horizontally to retract the slide bar 66 and hold it in a retracted position against the expansive force of the spring (39. This is accomplished by lowering the handle end of the lever 73 into a notch or keeper 76 in the upper edge of the top plate 7 By retracting the slide bar (36 it will provide clearance for an upward movement of H the hand lever 59 under the influence of the spring 187, so that the convolution former may be manipulated, as shown somewhat in Fig. 6, for bending the initial supply of wire stock preparatory to starting an end convolution of a spring. Again with the slide bar (36 in engagement with the roller;

60, it may he gradually shifted to assist in forming spring convolutions of various sizes, and the means for automatically shifting the slide bar will be hereinafter considered in connection with the adjustable convolution' spacer or pitch guide.

Comparing my adjustable convolution former with those of other spring forming machines, I desire to direct attention to the fact that the convolution former requires no adjustment when replenishing the" wire stock. In other machines it is necessary to move the convolution former out of the road in order that a fresh bundle of wire stock may be started in the machine, and when the convolution former is replaced it is necessary to adjust the same, with the result that some times the adjustments vary. If not, considerable time and labor is required to set the convolution former exactly as it was before. 1V ith my machine the convolution former is bodily shifted out ofthe road and quickly reset to' its original position, because the slide bar 66 brings the convolution former right back into its original active position. The springs formed from one bundle of wire stock will therefore be the same as the springs from other bundles of stock.

Adjustable COTWOZLLZL-Z'OH spacer or pitch gm'cle (Figs. 1, '7, 27 and Below the flat face of the mandrel 42 is a. bevel edged spacer or guide 77 detachably mounted in a head 78 carried by a reciprocable shaft 79 which has its forward end slidable in the front wall 3 and its rear end terminating in a shank 80 in a screw 81 adjustable in the rear wall 4. The screw 81 has a gear wheel 82 and meshing therewith is a pinion 83 on a nut equipped rod 84 journaled inthe walls 8 and 4 and adapted for adjustment at the front wall 3 of the machine. The reciprocable shaft 79 has a screwthreaded portion 85 for a nut 86 provided with a gear wheel 87. The nut is arranged between two collars 88 loose about the screwthreadod portion 85 of the shaft 79 and these collars and another set of collars 89 are supported by an upright 90. J ournaled in the collars 89 is a nut equipped rod 91 which extends forwardly through the front wall 3 for hand adjustment. On the rod 91. between the collars 89, is a gear wheel 92 meshing with the gear wheel 87 so that said gear wheel may be rotated to shift the shaft 79 and adjust the spacer 77 in a lengthwise direction relative to the mandrel 42. This hand adjustment of the spacer 77 is in order that it may be properly set relative to the mandrel 42 and the convolution former 57.

On the'reciprocable shaft 79 is a head 93 and interposed between said head and the front wall 3 is a coiled expansion spring 94 adapted to force the shaft 79 rearwardly with rearward movement limited by the screw 81 of the rear wall 4 serving as an abutment, yet permit of the shaft being shifted forwardly independent of the screw by the shank 8O sliding in said screw.

Pivotally connected to the side of the head 93 is a fulcrum lever 95, said lever being fulcrumed relative to a rearwardly projecting bracket 96 carried by the front wall 3. The manner of establishing a fulcrum support for said lever is best shown in Fig. 7 where the bracket 96 has a slot 97 through which extends a bearing 98 adapted to be clamped against the bracket, in adjusted position, by a nut 99 screwed on the bearing. Loose in the bearing is a rock shaft 100 having a head 101 through which may slide the lever 95. The upper end of the lever is adapted to engage a set screw stop 102 carried by a side extension 103 of the slide bar 66. This arrangement between the reciprocable shaft 79 of the spacer 77 and the slide bar 66 associated with the convolution former 57 is adapted to permit of the convolution former 57 being automatically adjusted for a large or small convolution in connection with a spring as will hereinafter appear.

0am operated mechanism for spacer (Figs. 7, 8, 15 t0 5% inetusoe).

The upright 90 is carried by a sleeve 104 slidable on a shaft 105 rotatable in the walls 8 and 4 of the machine. Keyed or otherwise fixed on the shaft 105, adjacent the rear wall 4, is the hub portion 106 of a cam holder 107. Keyed or otherwise mounted on the hub 106 is a gear wheel 108 so that the cam holder may be driven as will hereinafter appear in connection with the main driving mechanism of the machine.

The cam holder 107 has a series of circumferentially arranged longitudinal ways or openings 109 for the fingers 110 of a cam adjusting member 111. The cam adjusting member 111 is located at the front end of a holder 107 and said fingers are screwthreaded. as at 112, for a nut 113 at the rear end of the cam holder 107. The gear nut 113 has a gear or rack 114 adapted to be engaged by a. pinion 115 having an arbor 116 detachably mounted in one of a series of sockets 117 provided therefor in the cam holder 107.

The forward end of the cam holder 107 is reduced to provide an annular shoulder 118 and detachably mounted on this shoulder are two cooperating cam members 119 and 120. The cam member 119 shown in Fig. 20, is adapted to be mounted in the cam member 120 shown in Fig. 19 and the assembled relation of these two cam members is shown in Figs. 16 and 17. The inner cam member has an annular shoulder 121 engaged by the cam adjusting member 111 and said cam members are within a micrometer collar 122 mounted on the cam holder 107. The two cam members cooperate, as best shownin Fig. 16, in providing two confronting cam ways 123 forn'iing son'iewhat of a V-shaped notch to receive an anti-frictional roller 124 on an adjustable arm 125 carried by the side of the upright 90.

By using the pinion 115 the gear nut 113 can be rotated to shift the member 111 outwardly a sufficient distance to release the cam members 119 and 120, a single cam mem her 126, shown in 22, may be substituted for the cam members 119 and 120. This sin gle cam member is used in the formation of a particular type of spring and in addition to the cam surfaces 123 there may be a cam surface 127.

The cam members 119 and 120 or 126 are adapted to bodily shift the upright 90 and the spacer shaft 79. and the cooperation of these elements in the formation of springs will agam be referred to when describing the formation of various types of springs.

- Adjustable auto device (Figs. 1, 4., 7, 23

to 26 inclusive) The arm extends below the rock shaft to 1 provide a short crank portion 132 to engage a rearwardly extending abutment 1.33 secured to the side edge of the front wall 3. The abutment is adapted to define a vertical position of the cut-off arm and the crank 132 yieldingly held against the abutment 133 by an expansive force of a spring 134 encircling a wobbler bolt 135 having a spring abutment or nut 136 with the spring 134 interposed between the crank .132 and the nut 136. The bolt 135 extends through an opening in the crank 132 and into an opening 137 in which is seated the head 133 of the wobbler bolt, so that said bolt may be self adjusting as the crank 132 is swung in an arc. The spring 134 affords a stored force of energy when the cut-off arm is tilted from a vertical position, for instance as shown in Fig. 26, and the release or rebound of the cutoff arm to normal position provides a cutting action that is entirely independent of any driving part of the machine. Of course the arm is mechanically actuated to place the spring 134 under compression, but the actual cutting operation is performed by the force of the spring alone. p

The upper end of acut-off arm 131 has an off-set portion 139 terminating in a longitudinally disposed bifurcated bearing 140. Slidable in the bearing 140 is a holder 141 for a detachable cutter 142 which is located.

at the front side of the wall 3 and extends in proximity to the mandrel 42, this being brought about by cutting away a portion of the wall 3, as at 143, so that the bearing 140 and the holder 141 may extend forwardly. The cutter 142 is adapted to strike the wire stock 27 at the fiat side of the mandrel 42 so that this mandrel will serve as an anvil on which the wire stock will be held by the convolution former 57. The relation of these three elements at the time of severing the wirestook is shown in Fig. 1.

The rear end of the holder 141 is in the form of a shank 144 on which a threaded sleeve 145 is loosely mounted and adapted along with the holder 41 to bev shifted by a knurled nut 146 mounted on said sleeve in the bifurcation of the bearing 140. In addition to this manual longitudinal adjustment of the cutter holder 141 relative to the cut-off arm 131 there is a tilting adjustment for the holder brought about by an arm 147 of the holder having a shoe 148 slidable on a head of a screw 149'adjustable in the offset portion or upper end of a cut-off arm 131.

The tilting adjustment of the holder permits a change in the setting or angle of the cutter 142 to compensate for wear of the shearing edges, namely, the sharp edge of the cutter and the base of the mandrel 42, or to compensate also for different sizes of mandrels whereby to maintain at all times between the shearing edges the proper relation for shearing purposes. I

The cut-off arm 131 has a slotted bracket 150 for an adjustable stud 151 provided with a spool bearing 152 for the outer end of a plunger 153 extending through a slot 154 in the arm 131,. The plunger 153 is held normally against a bottom wall of the slot 154 by a coiled expansion spring 1.55 mounted in a. socket provided therefor in the offset portion 139 of the cut-off arm 131.

On the inner end of the plunger 153 is an anti-frictional roller 156 adapted to be en gaged by a cam 157 mounted on a shaft 158 journaled in the machine walls 3 and 4. The front end of the shaft 158 terminates in a tang or nut 159 so that it may be manually rotated. On the shaft 158the inner side of the rear wall 4 is a gear wheel' 160 meshing with the gear wheel 108 of the cam shaft 105.

I attach considerable importance to the fact that the snap action of the cutter arm requires approkimately one-third less power than a cutter arm that is slowly moving, and that the sudden stopping of the cutter arm causes the cutter to kick downward or recede, which is advantageous When forming springs from very fine Wire.

Alain driving mechanism (Figs. .4, 5 and 8).

Journaled in the Walls 3 and 4 of the machine. a.d .acent the lower edges thereof, is a main drive shaft 161. and on the rear end of the shaft is a smaller gear wheel 162 and a large belt wheel 163 representing conventional form of power transmission wheel by which the machine may be driven from a suitable source of power. Meshing with the small gear wheel 162'is a large gear wheel 164 rotatable on a stud shaft 165 mounted in the rear wall 4. The gear wheel 16 1 meshes with gear wheels 165 mounted on the outer ends of the feed shafts 8 and 9 which by virtue of the meshing gear wheels 12 and 13 impart rotation to the upper feed shafts 10 and 11.

Adjustably suspended from the cut-off cam shaft 158 is a slotted hanger 166 which may be adjusted and set relative to the rear wheel 4 by a clamping bolt and nut 167. The hanger 166 is slotted for various adjustable bearings, one of which supports gear wheels 168 and 169, the former meshing with the large gear wheel 161. Another bearing supports gear wheels 170 and 171, the former meshing with the gear wheel 169 and the latter meshing with a gear wheel 172 on the extreme rear end of the cut-0d cam shaft 158. It is through the medium of the train of gears carried by the hanger 166 that tie two cam shafts 105 and 158 may be driven in timed relation to the feed ing shafts 8 and 9 with all of said shafts driven from the gear wheel 16 1-;

Single conical spring forming mechanism (F298. 29 and I have previously mentioned that the convolution former 57 may be adjusted to provide a convolution of desired diameter whereby springs of various sizes may be made. The convolution forn' er is also a 'l justable for progressively increasing or de ,reasing the convolutions of the spring, and T will first consider the machine attachnient for producing a single conical spring, such as shown in Fig 11.

\Vith the slide bar 66 retracted the hand lever 59 may be raised to tilt the convolu tion former 57 and for this purpose a strap 173 is mounted on the lever Pivotally connected to said strap, as at 171 is a turnbuckle equipped connecting rod 175 which has its lower end extending through a bracket 176 that may be attached to the front side of the front wall Adjustable on the lower end of the connecting rod 175 are nuts or abutments 177 and 178. the latter engaging the top of the bracket 17.6 and the former retaining a coiled expansion spring wall 0.

ating rod is a bearing 182 for an anti-frictional roller 183 and this roller is adapted to be engaged by a beveled crank 181 mount ed on the shank or tang 129 of the rock shaft 128.

As a result of this attachment to the machine the cam 157 can gradually actuate the plunger 153, shift he cut-ofi arm 131, rock the shaft 12, cause the crank 18a to swing the actuating rod 181 which in turn raises the connecting rod 175 and causes the con volution former 57 to be gradually moved towards the mandrel 42. For instance, in the formation of the spring shown in Fig. 11 the large convolution 1 is first produced and as the wire stock 27 is forced against the former 57 it is gradually moved towards the mandrel thereby gradually reducing the diameters of the convolutions until the smallest convolution is formed, represented by the diameter of the mandrel 42. In 29 the convolution former 57 is about as close to the mandrel as it can possibly travel and it is only in this position that the cutoff arm 137 may be abruptly released to sever the spring. The next spring to be formed starts off with a small convolution and the former 57 is gradually moved away from the motor until a large convolution is produced at the opposite end of the spring.

Double conical spring form 572g mechanism 29 and 30.)

The greater part of the attachment just described is retained but the following changes are made. The nuts 177 and 178, spring 179. and crank 184; are ren'ioved. The bearing 182 is turned to the upper side of the actuating rod 181 and so fixed. Then a cam 185, such as shown in Fig. 80, is mounted on the protruding end of the cam shaft 158 to actuate the rod 181. The configuration of this cam will cause the convolution former 57 to move to and from the mandrel during the formation of a single spring and consequently the double conical spring shown in Fig. 12 may be produced.

Opemtion of forming closed and open springs.

I will first describe the operation of the machine in the formation of the closed type of coiled spring shown in Fig. 9 and previously briefly considered.

when a spring of a predetermined diame ter throughout is to be produced, the pivoted stock guide is adjusted by i'otat'ig the socket 39 to set the guide in a defined relation to the mandrel 1 2 so that the end of the wire stock will be projected at a tangent to the mandrel 12. After this adjustment the convolution former 57 is used to bend the protruding end of the piece of stock about the upper face of the mandrel. The attendant of the machine manipulates the lever 53 to retract the slide bar 66, the lever being placed in the notch '76 to hold the bar temporarily in a retracted position or it may be held in such p sition by one end while the other end manipulates the lever 59 to raise the convolution former 57 to substantially the position shown in Fig. 6. This will provide clearance for the pro trading end of the wire stock and place the convolution former in position to he lOWQlG'Lll by the lever 59 to bend the end of the wire stock on to the n'iandrel This having; been accomplished the levers 59 and. 73 may be released so that the beveled end of the slide bar 66 will engage the roller 69 of the lever 59 and retain the convolution former 57 in engagement with the bent piece of wire stock.

For a closed spring the spacer 57 is rctracted to the position shown in Fig. 27, and this is accomplished by adjusting the rod 91. The nut 81 is screwed into the wal and the expansive force of the spring 94 retracts the convolution spacer so that when the machine is placed in operation the sets of feed rolls will force the wire stock against the spacer 57 and cause the convolutions to be closely formed approximately in contact with one another. The wire stock necessarily follows in the groove 58 of the convolution former 57 and in passing under the mandrel it encounters the beveled edged spacer 77 which deflects the convolutions outwardly and on account of the wire stock being continuously curled or coiled the convolutions pile up in their order until spring of desired length is produced. The length of the spring depends on the size of the cam 157. As the cut-oil" cam shaft 158 is driven the cam impinges against the plunger 1523 and starts the storage of energy in the spring 134:, so that when the cam eventually releases the plunger 152: there will be a snap action of the cutter 112 against the wire stock at the mandrel -12.

For this operation the arm 125, shown in Fig. 7, has been previously set out of the path of the cam members 119 and 129 by sl'iifting the upright 99 relative to the shaft 79 by virtue of the rod 91, so that the reciprocablc shaft 79 will not be actuated, i havii'lg been set in a defined position througii he medium of the nut 81 and the rod 91 for a defined position of the spacer 77 7 relative to the mandrel l2 and the convolution former 57.

1f the open convolution spring shown in Fig. 10 is to be formed certain preliminary adjustments are necessary in connection with the machine it being assumed that the diameter of the spring is to be the same as the closed type of spring shown in Fig. First, the convolution spacer 77 is adjusted by hand so as to move it further towards the 1 rcnie end of u: ndrel to produce a greater deflection of the wire stock, in its convolution formation, as shown in Fig. 8. This insures equal spacing between all of the convolutions, with the exception of the endmost convolutions, which as previously pointed out are to be in closed formation. This closed formation of the end convolu tions is taken care of by the cam operated mechanism for the spacer. The cams 119 and 120 are circumferentially adjusted relative to each other so that there will be a desired gap or notch between the cam surfaces 23. The degree of such adj ustmcnt relative to zero is readily determined by the micrometer collar 122. The arm 125 which was set in a retrrcted position for the closed type of spring, is now set in a distended position by adjustment of the upright 90 so that either of the cam surfaces 1A3 may engage the anti-frictional roller 12-1 of the arm 125. The width of the notch or gap between the cam surfaces 123 will determine the period of time the spacer 77 remains in a retracted position for a closed formation of end convolutions. As shown in Fig. 10 it is substantially two convolutions that are in closed formation at each end of the spring, and assuming that the nut 81 has been set so that the force of the spring 9 1 may hold the shaft 79 retracted with the roller 12a in the gap or notch between the cam surfaces 123. the cam brought into contact with the roller l 24; will distend the shaft 79 and place the spacer 77 in the position shown in Fig. 28, which is the position for separating interi'nediate convolutions of the spring. The formation of the spring continues for. a length, determined by the size of the cam 157, but before this cam releases the cutoff arm 131, the cam 119 or 120 permits the shaft 79 to recede and again place the spacer 77 in arotracted position whereby approximately two convolutions will be formed in closed order, before the cutter 14.2 severs the s 'iring from the wire stock. Sevcring the stock does not change the position of the spacer 77 because two more convolutions are to be closely formed at the beginning of the next spring, but eventually one of the cams 119 or 120 again distends the shaft 79 and places the spacer 77 in position for separating the intermediate convolutions of the spring being formed.

In the fori'nation of the open convolution spring shown in Fig. 10, I have pointed out in the beginning that any spacing between the convolutions will necessarily decrease the diameter of the spring compared to the closed convolution formation at the ends of the springs, this condition having been. ezraggerated in Fig. let. To compensate for such reduction that would otherwise occur in the diameter o f the intermediate convolutions, l have provided the automatic actuation of a slide har (36. After.- end convolutions have iio been closely formed. and the shaft 79 is distended to which position the spacers 77 have spaced. convolutions, the lever 95 is actuated to retract the slide bar 66 against the expansive force of thespring 69. A slight withdrawal of the slide bar relative to the roller 60 of the lever 59 permits the shaft to rock under the influence of its 'retractile spring and the convolution former 57 is retracted a sulhcient distance to permit of a slight enlargement of the intermediate ccnvolutions being formed, thus producing intermediate convolutions substantially the same diameter as the closely assembled end convolutions. This compensating mechanism is one of the important features of my machine for the production of certain types of springs. For instance, those springs where the intermediate convolutions must 20 have contact with a barrel or casing in which the spring may be placed. v 1 Operation 0 farming conical and other types 0 f springs. Having described how closed and spaced convolutions may be formed in connection with a spring, I will now refer to making a spring of either of these types that has its convolutions progressively enlarged from one end of the spring to the opposite end for a single conical spring, or how the intermediate convolntions may be progressively enlarged from one end of the spring to its middle proportion and'then progressively reduced to the other end of the spring. The first type of spring is shown in Fig. 11 and in starting the formation of the spring the first few convolutions may be closely assembled by virtue of the cam mechanism .by which the spacer 77 is automatically adjusted.

For progressively enlarging or reducing the convolutions, the attachment shown in Fig. 29, is utilized, either with the crank 184 for the type of spring shown in Fig. 11 or the cam 185 for the type of spring shown in 12. It is thought unnecessary to review these operations in view of the previous description of the attachment.

For the lormation of the type of spring shown in Fig. 13 where the spring is cylindrical throughout with progressive spacing between the convolutions, the cams 119 and 120 are removed and the cam 126, shown in Fig. 22, substituted for the cams 119 and 120. The closed end formation of the convolutions is taken care of by the cam surfaces .123 of the cam 126 and it is obvious that the cam surfaces 127 will cause the shaft 7 9 to be slowly reciprocated, whereby the spacer 77 will be gradually moved outwardly from the anvil 42 to gradually increase the spacing of the intermediate convolutions. Obviously the cam surface 127 may be changed so that there may be a variable spacing for small wire springs that the adjustments in connection with the machine are very minute or of small degree and that wire pushed against the convolution former 57 b the 1 T H V reccung mechanism can be readily coiled. lo insure proper bending it is essential that the former 5'? have a defined relation relative to the mandrel and it is also essential that the lower end of the former 57 clamp the wire stock a QfilllSi; the mandrel which serves as an anvil (hiring a cutting off operation. It is in connection with this cutting-off operation, in the formation of the spring shown in Fig. 11, that I desire to direct attention.

the large convolutions that the lower endof the former 57 is moved away from the mandrel 42, consequently when the time comes for cutting the spring, the wire stock is not clamped against the mandrel at its fiat edge.

in order that the lower end of the convolution former 57 mayhold a large convolution against the mandrel, for cutting purposes, the attaclnnent is made to actuate or adjust the convolution former 57 in advance of a cuttingolf operation. It is only neces sary to refer to 29'to note that the beveled crank 184 will release the rod 135 before the cam 157 releases the plunger 153, there fore the shaft 53 can be quickly rocked by its spring to shift the lower end of the convolution former 57 inwardly and carry the large convolution into snug engagement with the mandrel 43 before the cutter 142 severs the wire.

Again, the construction of the cut-off arm 131 possesses certain advantages. The manner of supporting the holder 141 of the cut ter 142 permits the cutter 142 to swing downwardly, by the holder 141 rocking in its bearing 140. This is necessary in order that immediately upon the spring being severed the formation of a spring can continue below the mandrel by the cutter receding. Furthermore, the plunger 153 has a yieldable relation, in an upward direction, relative to the arm 131 and this arrangement insures a snap action of the cut-off arm relative to the cam 157. For instance, if the plunger 153 were rigid relative to the cutofi arm 131 there would be a slow rolling action of the roller 156 off of the high cam rises, but by considering Fig. 1 and assuming that the cam 157 is rotating counter clockwise, it is apparent that after the axis of the roller 156 reaches a position above a plane represented by the axes of the shaft 128 and the adjustable stud 151 that there will be a kick-up action of the roller 156,

It .will be rememberedthat in the formation of which is permissible by the spring 155. Therefore, the cam 157 will incidentally provide release of the plunger 153 so that the stored energy of the spring 134 can produce a snap action of the cutter 142.

What I claim is 1. In a spring forming machine wherein springs are formed from wire stock, a mandrel on which the wire stock is formed, means for feeding the wire stock to the mandrel, a convolution former adjacent said mandrel and against which former the wire stock impinges and is coiled, a spring actuated rock shaft supporting said convolution former to move the said former away from said mandrel, a slide bar retaining said convolution former in a defined position relative to said mandrel, and a pivoted guide adapted to be adjusted relative to said mandrel and former to cooperate with the latter in regulating the size of a spring convolution.

2. In a spring forming machine wherein springs are formed from wire stock, a mandrel on which the wire stock is formed, an adjustable convolution former against which the wire stock impinges for formation on said mandrel, a convolution spacer adjacent said mandrel, a reciprocable shaft supporting said spacer, and adriven cam mechanism adapted to reciprocate said shaft and the spacer carried thereby.

3. A spring forming machine as called for in claim 2, further characterized by manually adjustable means for said reeiprocable shaft.

4. A spring forming machine as called for in claim 2, wherein said cam mechanism includes interchangeable adjustable cam members of such configuration that said shaft is adjusted for a long period relative to a short dormant period.

5. A spring forming machine as called for in claim 2, wherein said caminechanism includes a driven holder, detachable and adjustable cam members mounted. in said holder and providing a gap affording a dormant period for the spacer during the operation of the machine. 7

6. In a spring forming machine wherein springs are formed from wire stock, a mandrel on which the wire stock is formed, a convolution former against which wire stock impinges for formation on said mandrel, an adjustable spacer is adapted to arrange the spring convolution in open and close formation on said mandrel, adjusting means for said spacer, said means being driven and ineluding cam members arranged to provide a gap which causes a close formation of convolution.

7. A spring forming machine as called for in claim 6, further characterized by a holder and micrometer collar supporting said cam 'tuated cut-off arm,

members so that said members may be adjusted relative to each other.

8. In a spring forming machine wherein springs are formed from wire stock, a mandrel, a spacer adjacent said mandrel, an adjustable convolution former for coiling the wire stock on said mandrel with the convolutions spaced by said spacer, means adapted to sever the wire stock to provide springs of a predetermined length, said means including a spring actuated cut-01f arm, a cam equipped shaft adapted to shift said arm to an inactive position and release said arm to effect a cutting operation, and a tiltable cuttcr supported from said arm, and adapted to tilt downwardly from the severed coil.

9. A spring forming. machine as called for in claim 8, further characterized by a yieldable plunger carried by said arm and affording a snap cutting off action of said arm and cutter.

10. A spring forming machine as called for in claim 8, further characterized by a rock shaft supporting said cut-off arm, and means operatable from said shaft adapted to adjust said'convolution former relative to said mandrel.

11. A spring forming machine as called for in claim 8, further characterized by means operatable from said cam equipped shaft adapted to adjust said convolution former relative to said mandrel. V V

12. In a spring forming machine wherein wire stock is coiled on a mandrel by an adjustable convolution former and the convolutions spaced by a spacer adjacent said mandrel :means adapted to sever the wire stock to provide springs of a predetermined length, said means including a spring accam equipped shaft adapted to shift said arm to an inactive position and release said cam to effect a cutting operation, a cutter supported from said arm, and articulated rods adapted to be actuated by said cam equippedv shaft to adjust said convolution former relative to said mandrel.

13. In a spring forming machine wherein wire stock is coiled on a mandrel by an adjustable convolution former and the con volutions spaced by; a spacer adjacent said mandrel :means adapted. to sever the wire stock to provide springs of a predetermined length, said means including. a spring actuated cut off arm, a rock shaft supporting said cut-off arm, a cam adapted for rocking said shaft to shift said arm to an inactive position and release said arm to effect a cutting operation, a cutter on said arm, and means operatable from said shaft adapted to adjust said convolution former relative to said mandrel.

14. In a spring forming machine wherein wire stock is coiled relative to a mandrel by an adjustable convolution former and the convolutions spaced by a spacer adjacent said mandrel, and wherein a conical spring is to be formed having open con'volutions intermediate end closed convolutions: spacer adjusting means, said means comprising a reciprocable shaft, a driven cam mechanism adapted to reciprocate said shaft and cause said spacer to be intermittently moved for the formation of open and closed convolutions, former adjusting means adapted for moving said convolution former away from said mandrel, and means operatable from said reciprocating shaft adapted to regulate the movement of said convolution former from said mandrel for the formation of a conical spring.

15.'A spring forming machine as called for in claim 14, wherein said former adjusting means includes a rock shaft supporting said convolution former and adapted to be manually adjusted, and a retractile spring constantly exerting a force to move said former away from said mandrel.

16. A spring forming machine as called for in claim 14, wherein the last mentioned means includes a fulcrum lever connected to said reciprocatory shaft, and a spring distended slide bar adapted to permit a receding movement of'said convolution former relative to said mandrel.

17. A spring forming machine as called for in claim 14, wherein said former adjusting means includes a rock shaft supporting said former, a lever on said shaft, a spring adapted to rock said shaft, a slide bar engageable with said lever to control lever movement by said spring, said slide bar being operatable by said last mentioned means.

18. In a spring forming machine wherein wire stock is coiled relative to a mandrel by an adjustable convolution former and the convolution spaced by a spacer adjacent said mandrel, and wherein a conical spring is to be formed having open convolutions intermediate end closed convolutions :spacer adjusting means, said means comprising a reciprocable shaft, a driven cam mechanism adapted to reciprocate said shaft and cause said spacer to be intermittently moved for the formation of open and closed convolutions, a spring actuated rock shaft supporting said convolution former and adapted to move said convolution former away from said mandrel, a lever carried by said convolution former to permit of manual adjustment, a spring distended bar engaging said lever, another lever adapted for moving said slide bar and adapted to be set to hold said slide bar retracted, and means adapted to permit gradual movement of said slide bar to effect gradual movement of said convolution former so that convolutions are progressively made larger or smaller.

19. A spring forming machine as called for in claim 18, wherein said means includes a cam reciprocated shaft and a fulcrumed lever actuated thereby.

20. A cutting instrumentality for a spring forming machine in which wire stock is coiled about a mandrel and then severed to provide a spring, said cutting instrumentality comprising a spring pressed pivotally supported arm, a plunger connected to said arm, a cam engageable with said plunger and adapted to shift said plunger and abrupt-1y release the plunger so that said arm may be actuated for cutting purposes, and a tiltable cutter carried by said arm and adapted to tilt away from said mandrel after cutting the wire stock.

21. A cutting instrumentality for a spring forming machine wherein springs are formed from wire stock coiled on a mandrel, said cutting instrumentality including a pivoted arm, a spring adapted to actuate one end of said arm to forcibly swing the opposite end of said arm towards said mandrel, a cam actuated plunger adapted to move said arm to stress said spring and abruptly release said arm for a cut off operation at said mandrel, and a tiltable laterally adjustable cutter carried by said arm and adapted to tilt away from said mandrel for severing wire stock thereon.

22. A cutting instrumentality for a spring forming machine wherein springs are formed from Wire stock on a mandrel, said cutting instrumentality comprising an arm swingable to and from said mandrel, a rockable holder in said arm, means for laterally adjusting said holder, a cutter in said holder, an arm carried by said holder, and means between said arms for rocking said holder in the first mentioned arm to change the an gularity of said cutter.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

VILLIAM H. BLEUEL. 

